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Winemaker's Notes:

Winery:
"The Pichler family has been making wine in the village of Wosendorf since at least the late 19th century. The original cellar building, more of a small stall than a winery, was purchased in 1884 and their first vineyards were planted in the town of Wosendorf in 1904. The modern winery was built in 2004 near Rudi's private home. After some initial wanderlust and the pursuit of various other interests - academic and commercial - Rudolf Pichler IV returned to the family winery with a seed of an idea. He had no formal training other than his memories of his grandfather and his instincts for great wine." - Importer
Winemaking:
"The intensity of work in the vineyards is the foundation of Pichler's philosophy, to the point where he even insists on replacing the term of winemaker by wine-caretaker, as his wine is not MADE in the cellar. As Rudi explains, " Authentic wine is not created in the cellar, but born in the vineyard, gently educated in the cellar and then grown up in the bottle." In other words, it is practical and cautious for him, a protection of his livelihood and estate - because the vineyard, "der Ried" the place, can never be made somewhere else and given another name: Wosendorfer Kollmutz is Wosendorfer Kollmutz, full stop. That is the standard by which he works and the essence of a Pichler wine." - Importer
Vineyard:
"The particular bends in the Upper Section of the Danube river as it flows east from the Melk to the City of Krems, form the 1,350 hectares of the Wachau (VOCK-aw) Valley. The steep hillsides that hug the river were formed of ancient Gfohler Gneiss, a particular primary rock, as well as granite and some slate deposits. It is this particular variety of soil and steep exposure that combine with the unique microclimate of this area to produce the distinct wines of the Wachau."
"Pichler's vineyard holdings are primarily in the western end of the Wachau, where the cool mountain breezes underscore the minerality and structure in the wines. Working from old vines on primary rock soils, it is the aim of the Pichler estate to reflect these vineyard very clearly in the glass." - Importer

My Wines

My Cellar

Our family has been involved with viticulture in the Wachau for many generations. The main building at Wösendorf No. 38, first documented in 1575, came into our possession in 1884. In 1904, the small agricultural farm was taken over by Johann Pichler; later, it was passed to Rudolf Pichler Sr., who in turn passed it on to his son, Rudolf Jr. Rudi III took over the reigns in 1997.
In 2004, along... Read more

Our family has been involved with viticulture in the Wachau for many generations. The main building at Wösendorf No. 38, first documented in 1575, came into our possession in 1884. In 1904, the small agricultural farm was taken over by Johann Pichler; later, it was passed to Rudolf Pichler Sr., who in turn passed it on to his son, Rudolf Jr. Rudi III took over the reigns in 1997.
In 2004, along with the construction of the new cellars at Marienfeldweg 122, a working area designed to modern quality standards was created.
Currently, we operate 12.5 hectares of vineyards, with grapes from an additional 3 hectares utilized through contracts with other vintners. Grüner Veltliner represents 65% of our vineyards, with Riesling totaling 30%, and the remaining 5% made up of Weißburgunder (Pinot blanc) as well as other varieties. All of these are vinified in the Vinea Wachau quality categories of Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd. Read less

Member Reviews for Rudi Pichler Riesling Smaragd Wösendorfer Kirchweg

Talk about a mismatched nose and palette!
This is sweet and syrupy on the nose reminiscent of ice wine with hints of petrol.
Unexpectedly rather dry on the palette with a slight zing. Pineapple, apricot and melon notes round out the finish...overall a nice sipping wine!

Winery:
"The Pichler family has been making wine in the village of Wosendorf since at least the late 19th century. The original cellar building, more of a small stall than a winery, was purchased in 1884 and their first vineyards were planted in the town of Wosendorf in 1904. The modern winery was built in 2004 near Rudi's private home. After some initial wanderlust and the pursuit of various other interests - academic and commercial - Rudolf Pichler IV returned to the family winery with a seed of an idea. He had no formal training other than his memories of his grandfather and his instincts for great wine." - Importer
Winemaking:
"The intensity of work in the vineyards is the foundation of Pichler's philosophy, to the point where he even insists on replacing the term of winemaker by wine-caretaker, as his wine is not MADE in the cellar. As Rudi explains, " Authentic wine is not created in the cellar, but born in the vineyard, gently educated in the cellar and then grown up in the bottle." In other words, it is practical and cautious for him, a protection of his livelihood and estate - because the vineyard, "der Ried" the place, can never be made somewhere else and given another name: Wosendorfer Kollmutz is Wosendorfer Kollmutz, full stop. That is the standard by which he works and the essence of a Pichler wine." - Importer
Vineyard:
"The particular bends in the Upper Section of the Danube river as it flows east from the Melk to the City of Krems, form the 1,350 hectares of the Wachau (VOCK-aw) Valley. The steep hillsides that hug the river were formed of ancient Gfohler Gneiss, a particular primary rock, as well as granite and some slate deposits. It is this particular variety of soil and steep exposure that combine with the unique microclimate of this area to produce the distinct wines of the Wachau."
"Pichler's vineyard holdings are primarily in the western end of the Wachau, where the cool mountain breezes underscore the minerality and structure in the wines. Working from old vines on primary rock soils, it is the aim of the Pichler estate to reflect these vineyard very clearly in the glass." - Importer